Phase failure and overload protective system



June 4, E. SEEGER ET AL {PHASE FAILURE AND OVERLOAD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM F 'iled March 3, 1939 1 Inventors M a 90 $6M @f b m, Deceased 5 3m 3. b/www y Administratrix I by M a 1 AHorney Patented June 4, 1940 PHASE FAILURE AND OVERLOAD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Edwin W. Seeger, Wauwatosa, Wis., and Glendon C. Brown, deceased,

late of Wauwatosa, Wis.,

by Jean F. Brown, administratrix, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignors to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application March 3,

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to a phase failure and overload protective system, and, while not limited thereto, is particularly applicable for use in connection with polyphase dynamo-electric ma balanced, as for example, through phase failure.

Another object is to provide disconnecting means sensitive also to unbalanced currents where the current in any phase drops to a pre determined value.

Another object is to provide a controller of the aforementioned type for synchronous motors in which the motor primary is disconnected from the power supply if, upon starting the direct current exciting circuit is not completed within a given time.

Another object is to provide for selective current overload protection for the primary circuit of a synchronous motor depending upon whether the field circuit is energized or not.

' Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing illustrates several embodiments of the invention in connection with a three phase power supply system.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 shows the invention applied to a synchronous motor protective system.

Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of the system shown in Fig, 1 which is applicable to the protection of various polyphase translating devices, while Figs. 3 and 4 inclusive are diagrams of the currents in the systems under certain voltage conditions.

Referring to Fig. 1, a polyphase power supply system L L L is adapted to supply power to a motoror other translating device through the line switch S. Connected in series with the lines L and L are the primary windings of current transformers I and 2, respectively, having secondary windings l and 2 respectively, which are connected to form a V, the voltages in the two branches being normally displaced 120. A primary switch 3 is provided with an energizing 1939, Serial No. 259,672

winding 3*, normally open main contacts 3 3 and 3 and normally open auxiliary contacts 3, 3 and 3 When the contacts 3 3 and 3 are closed they supply power to the primary winding 4 of a synchronous motor 4 having a field winding '4 and equipped with the usual secondary starting winding.

The system further includes a battery 5 or other source of direct current for supplying energy to the field winding 4 of the motor. A field switch 6 having an energizing Winding 6 is provided with normally open main contacts 6* which control the circuit of the winding 4 and with normally closed auxiliary contacts 6" and 6 A timing relay 1 is provided with an energizing winding 1 and normally closed contacts l The armature of the relay is provided with an adjustable dashpot or other retarding means 'l which provides for gradual movement thereof upon energization of the winding 1. The movable member of the contact '1 is loosely mount-- ed on an extension of the magnet plunger and is actuated to open the contact l upon abutment against a collar 1 which is adjustably fixed to said extension. A relay 8 is provided with an energizing winding 8 and normally open contacts 8 The system further includes five cur-' rent responsive realys 9 to l3 inclusive, having normally closed contacts 9 l li l2 and l3 respectively, and energizing coils 9 I0 Il I2 and I3 respectively. Relays 9, i0 and II are so adjusted that they open their contacts, when normal starting current flows in their respective energizing coils, while relays l2 and i3 are over.- loads, the operation of which will be explained hereinafter. These relays are connected in a star system between the V-connected secondary windings of the transformers as illustrated in the drawing. A normally open push button switch I6 is provided for starting the equipment and a normally closed push button I! for stopping. A relay M has an energizing winding l4 and normally open contacts M The relay I4 is also provided with an adjustable dashpot or other retarding device l4.

The system shown in Fig. 1 is connected and operates as follows: If it is desired to start the equipment the switch S is closed. If .now starting push button I6 is depressed a circuit is established from the line L through push button I6, normally closed stop button ll, relay coil 8 contacts I2 l3 and l to line L The relay 8 thereupon closes its normallyopen contact 8 and current flows from line L through contacts 8 coil 3 of the main switch 3 to line L 5,,

Thereupon the main switch i'isploses and connects the primary winding of the motor 41 to lines L L and L through contacts 3 and 3 respectively. In closing the switch 3 also closes the normally open contacts 3', 3 and 3 The contact 3 parallels the push button contact l6, thus establishing a maintaining circuit for the coil 3 of the main switch whereupon the push button may be released. A circuitis also established from line L through normally closed contacts t ti through relay coil ll of the timing relay I through resistor E5 to line L A further circuit is closed from line L over contacts 8 coil M, contacts it to line L Thus the timing relays 7 and i i are energized and their armatures are gradually raised at a slow rate against the action of the respective dashpots. After the expiration of a time sufficient to accelerate the motor 6 operating as an induction motorin the usual manner, the relay M closes the normally open contact M thus energizing the relay coil 6 by a circuit extending from line L through normally open contacts 8 and M relay coil 6 to line L-". The switch 6 thereupon closes, thereby closing the exciting circuit of the field winding 3* from the battery 5 through normally open contacts 3 normally open contacts 6 through winding l back to the battery 5. Upon closure, switch 6 opens contacts 65, thus disconnecting relay coil i and returning it to its starting position. If for any reason the field switch E3 should not close the contacts li before the contacts l open, the coil 8 is deenergized, opening contact 8 and thereby deenergizing the main switch coil 3* and opening the primary current supply to the motor. The opening of the main switch alsodeenergizes the field relay (6, thereby opening the field circuit, whereupon the motor cannot be energized again until the push button switch it; is operated. If it is desired at any time to disconnect the motor, the push button it is depressed which deencrgizes relay 8 and returns the controller to the starting position. Also if the overloads 62- or 03 respond to open their respective contacts H and 53 the relay 8 is deenergized and returns the controller to the starting position as aforedcscribed.

It will be observed that during the starting period, as long as the field relay ii is deenergized, the contacts 6 are closed, thereby connecting the two overload coils l2 and it in parallel so that the latter each carry only one-half of the secondary phase current of the transformers i and 2, as shown in Fig. 3 by the vectors I12 and I13, respectively. It will also be observed that the current in the energizing coils of each of the three relays it, ill and i is equal to the line or phase current flowing to the motor and the current in each overload coil 02 and i3 is onehalf of the line current. With the contacts 6 closed the overload coils will therefore respond to a motor current which is twice that which flows therein with the contacts ii open and thus the motor may draw the relatively heavy normal starting current without response of the overloads. If the normally closed contacts of relays 9, i9 and M are open, that is, if the motor current during starting exceeds a certain'normal valueior which the relays are adjusted, the whole resistor I is in circuit with the coil i so that the pull on the magnet coil l is relatively low and the time relay responds slower and therefore lengthens the time which may elapse between the closure of the push button M and the aaoaeoe moment when the relay 8 disconnects the equipment. Hence if the starting current of the motor exceeds a certain value the permissible starting time is prolonged thereby avoiding premature disconnection of the motor.

After the energization of the field switch 6 the paralleling connection to the overload coils i2 and I3 is openedthrough opening of the contacts 6 and each overload coil carries the same current as the coils 9 and ill, respectively, that is. they carry the full line current. Thus after the field switch is closed the overloads respond to a lower current so as to disconnect the motor which then operates as a synchronous motor, if its current exceeds a certain value which normally is less than the allowable and/or necessary current during starting.

If an overload should occur during starting or running the overloads i2 and 03 open their normally closed contacts, thereby deenergizing the relay 8, which opens its maintaining circuit and causes disconnection. of the motor as aforedescribed. If the starting is completed-by the closure of the field switch t, prior to the opening of contacts W the time relay 7 is again deenergized by opening of contact it, thereby returning the relay to the initial position. I

As aforediscussed, as long as the currents inthe three phases are equal the relays 9, i ii and ii carry the same current I9, I10 and In plus 113, respectively, as shown in Fig. 3, which'is equal to the line current of the motor. If, however, during the starting period the current in line L should fail, the currents in lines L and L are displaced 180 as shown in Fig. 4 and the overload coils i2 and w are shunted by contacts ii and no current flows through the overload coils If no current flows in line D, the transformer" 2 tends to send current through relay coil 9 and transformer winding l Current flows through overloads i2 and E3 in parallel and hence through relay coil M The current flowing in coil 9 is very small due to the high impedance of the winding l in series with the coil 9*. Thus said relay .S closes its contacts to short circuit part of the resistor 05. If no current flows in line L the conditions are similar to those aforedescribed in connection with line L and the motor will be disconnected in either' case in the manner described in connection with current failure in line L Fig. 2 illustrates a system which is suitable for motors or other translating devices having a relatively high starting current, and for motors which may be thrown directly across the line upon starting such as synchronous or induction motors. The system comprises two current transformers l and 2 which are connected into the supply lines L and L of a polyphase motor to supply current to overloads l2 and it. The overload coils are connected in series with relays 39 and 3% respectively and form together with a relay iii a start connected network supplied with current by the current transformers l and 2. The relays 29 and 3% are each provided with a normally open contact 29 and 30 respectively, while relay 30 is provided with two normally open contacts Si and 30. The system further includes two resistors 32 and 33 whose purpose will be explained hereafter. The overloads l2 and I3 are provided with normally closed contacts which may be connected in series with the actuating coil of a contactor (not shown) which supplies energy to a motor or other translating device to be protected.

The overloads are so calibrated, that they respond to a current which is only slightly ,in excess of the normal running current of the motor. During starting the current which passes through relays 29, 3B and 3| is sufiiciently high to energize them to close their contacts. This connects resistor 32 in parallel with overload l2 and resistor 33 in parallel with overload I3, so that the latter receive only a part of the starting current and do not respond normally. Furthermore the overloads I2 and 13 are connected in parallel by contact 3I so that each receives only one-half of the line current. This contact 3I may, however, be omitted if desired, in which case the overloads are only paralleled by the respective resistors.

The system illustrated in Fig. 2 affords phase failure protection during starting as follows: If line L is without current, relay 29 is deenergized due to the high impedance of winding I so that overload I3 receives substantially the full line starting current of transformer 2, whereupon overload I3 responds to open its contacts and disconnects the motor. Similarly, if current fails in line-L the relay 3!! is deenergized, thereby sending a higher current through overload I2. If current fails in line U, the relay 3| is deenergized, which increases the current in overloads I2 and I3 due to the opening of their parallel connection at the contacts 3|. It is desirable, that the overloads I2 and 13 are provided with a delayed response such, that the relays 29, 30 and 3| close their contacts upon initial energization of the circuit, before the overloads l2 and I3 can respond to open their contacts.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. In a three phase circuit, two current transformers having primary windings respectively connected in different phases of said circuit and having secondary windings forming a V-connection, the voltages of the two branches thereof being normally displaced 120, three electromagnetic relays connected in a circuit forming a star between the terminals of said V-connection, current responsive overload relays in circuit with said secondary windings and said electromagnetic relays and means responsive to the operation of said electromagnetic relays to vary the response of said overload relays.

2. In a three phase circuit, two current transformers having primary windings respectively connected in different phases of said circuit and having secondary windings forming a V-connection, the voltages of the two branches thereof bein'. normally displaced 120, two current responsive overload relays having their operating windings connected in series, three electromagnetic relays, one of said electromagnetic relays being connected between the common terminal of said operating windings and the common terminal of said secondary windings, one each of the other electromagnetic relays being connected respectively between one free terminal of said operating windings and of said secondary windings, and means responsive to the operation of said electromagnetic relays to vary the response of said overload relays.

3. In a three phase circuit, two current transformers having primary windings respectively connected in difierent phases of said circuit and having secondary windings forming a V-connection, the voltages of ,the two branches thereof being normally displaced 120", two current responsive overload relays having their operating windings connected in series, three electromagnetic relays, one of said electromagnetic relays being connected between the common terminal of said operating windings and the common termine] of said secondary windings, one each of the other electromagnetic relays being connected respectively between one free terminal of said operating windings and of said secondary windings, and switch means adapted to complete a direct connection between the free terminals of said operating windings in response to the operation of said electromagnetic relays.

4. In a three phase circuit, two current transformers having primary windings respectively connected in different phases of said circuit and having secondary windings forming a V-connection, the voltages of the two branches thereof being normally displaced 120, two current responsive'overload relays having their operating windings connected in series, three electromagnetic relays, one of said electromagnetic relays being connected between the common terminal of said operating windings and the common terminal of said secondary windings, one each of the other electromagnetic relays being connected respectively between one free terminal of said operating windings and of said secondary windings, an impedance for each overload relay and means responsive to the operation of said electromagnetic relays to connect said impedances in shunt with the respective overload relays.

5. In a three phase circuit, two current transformers having primary windings respectively connected in different phases of said circuit and having secondary windings forming a V-connection, the voltages of the two branches thereof being normally displaced 120, two current re sponsive overload relays having their operating windings connected in series, three electromagnetic relays, one of said relays being connected between the common terminal of said operating windings and the common terminal of said secondary windings, one each of the other electromagnetic relays being connected respectively between one free terminal of said operating windings and of said secondary windings, an impedance for each overload relay, and switch means adapted to connect said impedances between the free terminals of said operating windings in response to the operation of said electromagnetic relays.

6. In a controller for a polyphase synchronous motor having a primary and a field winding, an electromagnetic main switch for connecting said primary winding to a source of supply, an electromagnetic field switch for controlling the energization of said field winding, means for controlling said switches, two current transformers hav-. ing their primary windings connected in difierent phases of said primary circuit and their secondary windings arranged in V-connection, the voltages of the two branches thereof being normally displaced 120, three electromagnetic relays connected in a circuit forming a star between the terminals of said V-connection, current responsive overload relays in circuit with said secondary windings and adapted to control said main switch, and timingmeans responsive to the operation of said electromagnetic relays mally disblaced 12W, three electromagnetic relaysconnected in a circuit forming astar between the terminals of said V-connection, current responsive overload relays in circuit with said secondary windings and adapted to control said main switch, and means responsive to the operation of said electromagnetic relays to vary the response of said overload relays.

EDV/IN Vi. SEEGER. JEAN F. BRUWN, Adminisiratrz'a: of the Estate of Glendon C.

Brown, Deceased. 

